Hilliard Miniature of Earl of Southampton Rediscovered

September 9 2025

Picture: The Guardian

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

I'm a little slow to news that broke over the weekend of a rediscovered miniature of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, by Nicholas Hilliard. Southampton is known for his friendship with William Shakespeare and may have been the 'fair youth' whom the bard dedicated many sonnets. The miniature, rediscovered by Emma Rutherford and supported by research from Dr Elizabeth Goldring, also bears a mysterious defaced heart on the reverse. Click on the link above the read more.

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